Technitium DNS Server

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted DNS server with advanced privacy and network management features

Overview

Technitium DNS Server is a lightweight, cross-platform DNS solution for self-hosting. It provides DNS caching for faster query responses, ad-blocking via customizable filter lists, and support for secure protocols like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT). Key features include split-horizon DNS for internal/external networks, DNSSEC validation, conditional forwarding, and IPAM integration. Deploy easily using Docker containers, Windows installers, or Linux packages (DEB/RPM). It’s suitable for home users (ad-blocking) and small businesses (network control) with a user-friendly web UI for configuration.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  technitium_dns_server:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: technitium-dns-server
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

DNS caching & ad-blocking with filter lists
DoH/DoT & DNSSEC support for secure communication
Split-horizon DNS for internal/external network separation
Cross-platform deployment (Docker, Windows, Linux)
Web UI for easy configuration and monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Technitium DNS Server hard to install?

No—deploying is straightforward. Use Docker with a single command, the Windows installer for graphical setup, or Linux DEB/RPM packages. Official docs provide step-by-step guides for all platforms, making it accessible for beginners.

? Is it a good alternative to Cloudflare DNS?

Yes—for users wanting self-hosted control. Unlike Cloudflare (a SaaS), Technitium lets you manage your own query logs, block ads locally, and configure split-horizon DNS for internal networks. It also supports DoH/DoT like Cloudflare but with full privacy.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—Technitium DNS Server is open-source under the GPLv3 license. All features (including advanced ones like DNSSEC and split-horizon DNS) are available for free with no paid tiers or hidden costs.

Top Alternatives

Cloudflare DNS (Proprietary SaaS) Search Google

Google Public DNS (Proprietary SaaS) Search Google

OpenDNS (Proprietary SaaS) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category DNS

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no external logging of queries)
⊕ Completely free and open-source (GPLv3 license)
⊕ Advanced features for both home and small business use
⊕ Lightweight and resource-efficient

Cons

⊖ Requires basic network knowledge to set up correctly
⊖ Web UI has a slight learning curve for advanced features
⊖ Limited third-party integration compared to enterprise tools